Former Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder is president and chief executive officer of the Association of American Publishers [AAP], national trade organization of the US book publishing industry, and is currently leading New Century/New Solutions, an out-of-the box think tank, for the Institute for Civil Society. Schroeder left Congress undefeated in 1996 after serving in the House of Representatives for 24 years. During her tenure in the House, Schroeder became the Dean of Congressional Women, co-chaired the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues for 10 years, and served on the House Judiciary Committee, the Post Office and Civil Service Committee, and was the first woman to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. As Chair of the House Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families, Schroeder saw the Family and Medical Leave Act and the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act to fruition in 1993. Schroeder was an early supporter of reproductive rights. She was also active in military issues, expediting the National Security Committee's vote to allow women to fly combat missions in 1991 and working to improve the lives of military families through passage of her Military Family Act in 1985. She is the author of two books: Champion of the Great American Family and 24 Years of House Work…and the Place is Still a Mess.